New Delhi, 22 June (H.S.): The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to safeguard the interests of Indian farmers in the proposed interim trade agreement between India and the United States and not to sign any deal under American pressure that could adversely affect the country's agricultural sector.

In its letter, the BKU stated that the process of finalising the bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States has been underway since February 2025. According to media reports, the interim agreement is likely to be finalised soon, with a final decision expected during the June 23-24 visit of United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to New Delhi.

BKU National Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait expressed concern that India may agree to reduce import duties on American agricultural products under the proposed agreement. He warned that without adequate tariff protection, Indian farmers would be unable to compete with heavily subsidised agricultural products from the United States, posing a serious threat to their livelihoods.

The letter further stated that the United States has long been pressing India to remove barriers to its agricultural and food products. The farmers' organisation claimed that such a move could pave the way for increased imports of heavily subsidised American dairy and poultry products. It also expressed concern over the possible entry of genetically modified (GM) maize into the Indian market.

The BKU further alleged that the United States has been exerting pressure on India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to alter its Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime. The organisation said that if this issue becomes part of the trade agreement or is included through any confidential understanding, it could have adverse consequences for millions of paddy and wheat farmers across the country.

The farmers' body reminded the Prime Minister of his earlier assurance that the interests of farmers, fishermen, and those associated with the dairy and poultry sectors would be fully protected during the India-US trade negotiations.

The BKU urged the government to honour that commitment and refrain from entering into any agreement that could undermine Indian agriculture and the country's food security.

The organisation said that farmers are not only the nation's food providers but also vital pillars of food security and national sovereignty. Therefore, they should not be compelled to compete on unequal terms with heavily subsidised foreign agricultural products.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar